Transport
Online Merchants Demand Action Against E-commerce Logistics Monopolies
Small business owners are urging the Trade Competition Commission to enforce regulations against e-commerce platforms accused of restricting logistics choices and inflating fees.
On August 4, 2026, lawyer Anantachai Chaidech formally requested an update from Thailand’s Trade Competition Commission (OTCC) regarding complaints against major e-commerce platforms. Merchants allege that these platforms continue to engage in anti-competitive practices, specifically by forcing sellers to use exclusive logistics providers and imposing high service fees, despite new regulatory guidelines that took effect on March 25, 2026.
According to Khaosod Online, small business owners report that these restrictions prevent them from managing operational costs effectively, leading to shrinking profit margins during a period of fragile consumer purchasing power. While the OTCC’s digital platform guidelines were designed to prevent market dominance and unfair treatment of vendors, merchants claim that the actual market environment has not changed. Sellers remain unable to select their preferred shipping partners, which they argue violates the spirit of the new competition laws.
For residents and those operating businesses in Thailand, this situation highlights ongoing friction between digital marketplaces and local vendors. While the legal framework is in place, the practical enforcement remains a point of contention. It remains to be confirmed how the OTCC will respond to this latest inquiry and whether specific platforms will face formal investigations or penalties for these alleged restrictive practices. The situation continues to evolve as small businesses struggle to maintain viability under current platform policies.
Translated from Thai.
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